Sexual Assault Demonstration Initiative

The Sexual Assault Demonstration Initiative (SADI) is the first large-scale project to address the challenges dual/multi-service programs face in reaching sexual assault survivors by dedicating resources, support, and replicable tools tailored specifically to the needs of those programs. The lessons learned and tools developed at Project Sites will inform the national field of dual/multi-service programs serving sexual violence survivors. Specifically, the SADI will enhance the range of service options for victims of sexual assault; improve the overall treatment of sexual assault victims; and enhance the skills and knowledge of advocates working with victims and survivors.

Goals of the Sexual Assault Demonstration Initiative:

Increase outreach to those populations experiencing sexual assault in their communities, but not currently accessing services.

Develop models of service provision that prioritize the needs of sexual assault survivors.

Assess the efficacy of those steps in increasing the numbers and types of sexual assault survivors who access those newly enhanced services.

Strategies, tools, and program components to reduce challenges and barriers to sexual assault services in dual/multi-service agencies will be developed.

Models for trauma-informed service provision that prioritize the needs of sexual assault survivors beyond immediate crisis responses will be developed.

Strategies for community teams, including law enforcement and prosecution agencies, to build capacity to respond to a broader range of criminal justice needs of sexual assault survivors beyond immediate crisis will be developed.

Key tools, methods, and strategies developed in conjunction with the Project Sites will be widely distributed to the broader field of dual/multi-service agencies and state coalitions serving sexual assault survivors.

Looking back, it was a busy 2014 for SADI Project Sites! As sites continue to implement their individualized plans for the Sexual Assault Demonstration Initiative, the focus is on defining, developing and enhancing trauma informed services. This edition of the SADI eNewsletter focuses on key... more

The Sexual Assault Demonstration Initiative (SADI) Newsletter serves as a project brief to the field on the first national demonstration initiative designed to identify and disseminate information on promising practices for enhancing services to sexual violence survivors in dual and multi-service... more

The Sexual Assault Demonstration Initiative (SADI) Newsletter serves as a project brief to the field on the first national demonstration initiative designed to identify and disseminate information on promising practices for enhancing services to sexual violence survivors in dual and multi-service... more

This annotated bibliography is for advocates, policy makers and allies to help inform their work of meeting the needs of sexual assault survivors. This document provides the best available research to explore sexual assault program services and the challenges with meeting sexual assault survivors... more

This toolkit from the National Sexual Assault Demonstration Initiative focuses on key tools and skills for conducting community assessments in order to strengthen services for sexual assault survivors. It is written specifically for multi-service programs, but will be useful for most victim... more

This annotated bibliography is for advocates, policy makers and allies to help inform their work of meeting the needs of sexual assault survivors. This document provides the best available research to explore sexual assault program services and the challenges with meeting sexual assault survivors... more

This article provides general information and examples about comprehensive sexual assault services as a tool for program development. It is not an exhaustive list, but a list of resources to be used to begin a discussion or assessment or organizational efforts to address sexual violence.
To read... more

Healing from sexual violence is a process that often takes time, resources, and empathic support. A common analogy for the healing process is a spiral. You go through the same stages again and again; but traveling up the spiral, you pass through them at a different level, with a different... more

The following resources are intended to provide online support through the use of forums, chat rooms, self-help and general resources to survivors of sexual violence.
View the project page here or download the attachment below.